Stories From Around the State

Leagues across the country can expect to have a busy 2016 legislative session, with the majority of state legislatures beginning their sessions in January. Voters' rights and election laws will be brought to the forefront once again in 2016, and with elections at every level of government, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Earlier this month, we had the opportunity to attend a panel on the Democracy Restoration Act (DRA), a bill that would allow those released from prison, a group currently disenfranchised in many states, to regain their right to vote in federal elections.

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This week the League launched its 2012 First-time Voter Registration Project nationwide. LWVEF will be working with about 25 Leagues in 16 states through the fall to register and engage young voters, new citizens, and other newcomers to the election process! Keep an eye out for more updates from this program in the coming weeks.

This summer, the Membership and Leadership Development (MLD) program is providing training to local and state League leaders from nine states that are entering the program for the first time ever. After a wonderful financial out-pouring of support for the MLD program at the LWVUS Convention in June 2012, Cheryl, Carol, Kelly, and I (the League trainers for the MLD program) have been met with enthusiasm for the program and for the future of the League.

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The League and its allies were successful in keeping voter ID bills from passing in a number of states including Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon and Virginia. Only Kansas, Pennsylvania and Tennessee have passed voter photo ID laws that are currently in effect. In retrospect, thanks to the Leagues ongoing work, we are better off than we had anticipated when the legislative sessions began!

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Oregon law now allows 17-year-olds to register and receive ballots for the first election on or after their 18th birthdays. And, thanks to the Marion and Polk Counties (OR) League of Women Voters, three hundred and twenty-nine (329) teenagers will be able to vote this year!